We set off in good time and headed through an area of numerous small lakes, rocky terrain covered in heather and gorse, which made for some pretty views.
On the way we tried to contact the company offering seaweed baths at our next campsite to book a slot. Unfortunately he wasn’t working this weekend, which was disappointing.
We stopped at Pearse’s Cottage, it appeared to have a huge Visitor Centre, but wasn’t open, no coffee here, so we drove on to Glinsk, where there was a small harbour complete with a picnic table which we made an early lunch stop.
Our next destination Cashel House Hotel Gardens. We weren’t sure if we were allowed in, but a lovely man on Reception said we were welcome and gave us a map of the gardens, all for free!
We headed towards Lidl at Clifden for a few supplies then on to the challenging Sky Road. It was narrow, high up, with some splendid views. At the top we made a coffee and ate the cakes from Lidl whilst taking in the vista in front of us.
Down the other side we encountered several cows walking down the road in no particular hurry.
We spotted a small parking area with a few tables and turned in for a drink. However it was a Seafood Shack, serving among other things, oysters. Well it had to be done and we decided to go for grilled rather than raw oysters, and they were delicious!
A mile or two up the road was our campsite, the Eco Clifden. The layout was pretty much stick a van, tent or caravan on any flattish piece of grass. But the views were stunning. It also had it’s own private sandy beach, and after a paddle, Lillian went back to the van and changed into her swimsuit and went for a dip. It was very cold (honorary Blue-Tits cold), but it was lovely in the sun out of the wind.

Later we ajourned to the hill top view of the sunset with a glass of red wine and our new woolly hats.